Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
guish one from the other. Although a mere 0.25 mile from each other, the shorebreak at
Napili Bay can be larger in the winter whereas Kapalua is more protected. The snorkeling
between the two reefs is a tossup, although the general consensus is that Kapalua has a
tendency for more fish, whereas Napili has a greater number of sea turtles. Napili Bay is
a little larger, although it can also become more crowded. If you are traveling with chil-
dren, Kapalua Bay is the better bet since the water is calmer and there is easy access to
beach showers and restrooms. Kapalua Bay was named the number one beach in America
in 1991 and voted as the Best Beach in the World by the readers of
Condé Nast
magazine.
Your best chance for finding parking at Napili Bay is either along the side of Lower
Honoapi'ilani Road between Napili Kai and the Kapalua Tennis Club, or, on the south end
of the beach, there is some beach parking at the bottom of Hui Drive. The beach parking
lot at Kapalua Bay fills up early. If you can't find a parking place, drop all of your beach
gear by the stairs leading down to the sand and then circle back to find a parking spot along
the road.
Oneloa Bay (Ironwoods)
Hidden from view from the main road through Kapalua,
Oneloa Bay
is virtually always
empty. This epic expanse of shoreline sits right along the Kapalua Coastal Trail. Since the
swimming is poor and it's out of sight, it's also out of mind. Mornings on Oneloa can be
calm and still, making this a popular spot for sunset wedding shoots. Oneloa is a great
beach for communing with nature. To reach Oneloa, either park at the lot for Kapalua Bay
and walk for 15 minutes along the Kapalua Coastal Trail or follow Lower Honoapi'ilani
Road into the resort complex of Kapalua to a small beach access path and parking lot
across from The Ridge condo complex. While there is a small beach shower for rinsing
off, the nearest public restrooms are at Kapalua Bay.
THE BEST BEACH IN AMERICA
If a friend quizzes you on which beach in Maui was voted the number one beach in
the United States, and you have to choose between Kapalua Bay, Ka'anapali Beach,
D.T. Fleming Beach, Wailea Beach, and Hulopo'e Bay on Lana'i, the correct an-
swer would be...all of them.
Since the rankings began in 1991, each of the five beaches listed above has held
the title as the #1 Beach in America, and Hamoa Beach in Hana is consistently
ranked in the top five. So how, exactly, is the number one beach determined?
